My second lap in the school pool was amazing, the cool water felt surprisingly pleasant against my skin. It was a decent break from the usual chaos that'd been brewing since yesterday. Everyone seemed to have completely forgotten about the zero-point fiasco. Only yesterday, they were panicking about losing points, yet now they were splashing around and laughing as if nothing had happened.
I paused by the edge and glanced toward the poolside. I noticed Ayanokōji and Horikita standing close together, deep in conversation. Horikita looked focused, her eyes narrowed as she spoke. Even from where I floated, I could catch the firmness in her tone.
"If Class D wants any chance at improving, we need to surpass Class C," she said. Her voice didn't waver.
Ayanokōji nodded, calm as ever. "And how exactly do you plan to do that? Most of our classmates don't seem interested in putting in the effort."
"We need to motivate them. If we don't find a way, Class C will walk all over us," Horikita continued. She started to lay out her strategy, her voice steady. However, I found myself itching to interrupt. They both looked so serious that it was almost painful to watch.
I pushed off the wall and swam straight toward them, kicking hard enough to send a spray of water onto the pool's edge. I surfaced and gave them another splash, this time very much on purpose. "Oops! Did I get you wet? Sorry, sorry," I said, feigning innocence and grinning.
Horikita shot me a sharp glare. Her lips pressed into a thin line. "You just had to do that, didn't you?"
"'Had to' is a strong way to put it," I said with a shrug as I stepped closer. "I just couldn't resist. You two looked a little too tense. Thought I'd liven things up."
Ayanokōji raised an eyebrow, his tone as mild as ever. "Was that really necessary?"
I brushed the water from my face, still grinning. "Necessary? Probably not. Fun? Definitely." I gave them a casual nod. "So, what's all the fuss about? Points, right? Come on, we'll figure it out. No need to stand around looking grim."
Horikita sighed, arms folded across her chest. "Weren't you the one sulking about points just yesterday?"
I tilted my head, making a show of looking puzzled. "Yesterday was yesterday. Why dwell on it? Might as well enjoy the facilities while we can. Am I wrong?"
Ayanokōji glanced between us, his voice neutral as ever. "You do let things slip your mind rather quickly, Hachiman."
I let out a short laugh. "It's not about forgetting. It's about knowing when something's not worth clinging to."
Horikita sighed once more, sounding tired of me already. "I should have known better than to expect you to take anything seriously," she said, then turned away. She didn't spare me another glance as she walked off.
I pretended to be wounded. "Aw, Horikita, that stings." Then I let my grin return. "Relax. We're not doomed yet. Things will work out somehow."
Just as Horikita moved off, Kushida appeared. She approached with her usual bright smile. "Horikita-san! Why don't you join me for a swim? It might help you clear your head."
Horikita looked at Kushida, one eyebrow raised. "And why would I do that?"
"Because it's a nice way to relax!" Kushida insisted, cheerful as always. "It might help you think more clearly."
Before Horikita could refuse, I chimed in, waving a hand as if I might nudge Horikita into the water. "Kushida's right. Come on, Horikita, a quick swim might lighten your mood."
Horikita's eyes narrowed. "Absolutely not," she said flatly. She turned her back on us, clearly done with the conversation.
I let out an exaggerated sigh. "See, Kushida? We tried. She's stubborn."
Kushida gave a gentle smile, though there was a trace of uncertainty in her eyes. "Maybe next time," she said softly, still polite and hopeful.
I smiled at Kushida. "Don't worry. Someday she'll see reason. You're good with people. If anyone can convince her, it's you."
Kushida waved a hand dismissively, a slight blush on her cheeks. "Oh, stop being silly, Hachiman-kun. But thank you. I appreciate the vote of confidence."
I shrugged with a grin. "Confidence in you, Kushida? That's hardly a risk. Though I'll admit, Horikita's a tough sell. You might need a bit of patience with her."
Kushida nodded, her expression softening. "She is a challenge, but I think given time, she'll understand. By the way, Hachiman-kun, are you going to keep stirring things up, or are you actually going to help us deal with these points?"
I tapped a hand to my chest. "Your loyal knight is ready to serve. Just say the word."
Kushida's face lit up. "Then how about helping me set up a study group? I think if we can get more of Class D involved, even Horikita-san might acknowledge our efforts."
I nodded, putting on a serious face as if answering a royal decree. "As you command. I'll do what I can to rally the troops."
Kushida beamed at me. "That's what I was hoping to hear, Hachiman-kun."
* * *
I walked into the classroom after my talk with Kushida. For some reason, everyone seemed caught up in their own world. I guess I couldn't help but smirk a little.
"Alright, who's up for wasting time pretending to study?" I asked, raising my voice just enough to make sure they heard me, but not so much that I looked like I actually cared. I mean, I didn't want them thinking I was invested or anything.
Kei Karuizawa glanced up from her phone, her eyes briefly meeting mine. "A study group? You?" she asked, sounding about as excited as someone who just got asked to clean the bathroom. I guess that was understandable.
"Not me," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "It's Kushida's idea. I'm just the knight carrying out the royal decree." I thought the joke sounded okay, but Kei didn't look amused.
She raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Alright, so what's the plan?"
I leaned in a bit, keeping that grin of mine on my face. "Simple. After school, we gather everyone. Make them think they're learning something. We try not to look too pathetic, and hopefully scrape by without embarrassing ourselves." It wasn't exactly inspiring, but I wasn't here to give motivational speeches.
Kei sighed, crossing her arms. "Fine, I'll come. But don't expect me to enjoy it."
"Your reluctant attendance shall inspire the masses, my lady," I said with as much sarcasm as I could muster. "I'll even inform Kushida of your noble sacrifice." Maybe I laid it on too thick, but who cares?
Kei rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't make me regret it."
I guess that was progress.
* * *
Next, I found Sudou leaning back by the gym lockers, tossing a basketball in the air like he had nothing better to do. I mean, I guess that's what he does.
"Yo, Sudou. Got a sec?" I called out, strolling over with my hands in my pockets. No need to look too eager.
He caught the ball and frowned a little. "What's up?"
"Kushida's setting up a study group," I said. "You should join."
Sudou snorted, like I'd just told him to read a dictionary for fun. "Studying? Not exactly my thing, man."
I shrugged. "Neither is benching yourself during a game, right? You wouldn't skip practice and let your team down, so why skip this?" I tried to draw a parallel. I don't know if he'd buy it.
He frowned, tossing the ball between his hands. "You're comparing school crap to basketball?"
"Why not?" I asked. "Class D is a team. If one of us screws up, we all go down. I mean, I'm not exactly thrilled either, but what can you do?"
Sudou paused, gripping the ball a bit tighter. "So, this is like…practice?"
"Exactly," I replied. "It doesn't have to be fun. It just has to get done."
Sudou groaned like he was being forced to eat raw vegetables or something, then finally tossed the ball aside. "Fine. But don't expect me to be happy about it."
"Wouldn't dream of it," I said, turning away. "At least we'll know you've got our back." I guess that was the best outcome I could hope for.
* * *
Hirata was an easier sell. I found him in the library, flipping through a notebook. He always seemed busy with something, but I decided to bug him anyway.
"Think you can help with this?" I asked, pulling out a chair and sitting across from him.
He looked up, smiling calmly as usual. "A study group?"
"Kushida's idea," I explained. "You know how it goes. If you're there, people actually take it seriously. That's just how it is."
He chuckled softly, closing his book without complaint. "That makes sense. Alright, I'll join."
"Knew you'd say that," I said as I got up. "You're too nice for your own good, Aniki." I guess Hirata was just that kind of guy.
* * *
Finally, Horikita. Naturally, she was the toughest one. She sat at her desk, nose buried in a book like usual. I leaned against the desk beside her. I mean, I had to at least try.
"You? Helping organize a study group?" she asked without looking up, her tone dry and unimpressed. It sounded like she already doubted my sincerity.
"Not me," I replied, putting up my hands in mock surrender. "Kushida's idea. I'm just here to keep it from crashing and burning, I guess."
She sighed, and finally looked at me. "And you think I'll go along with this?"
"You're smart," I said, not bothering with a sweet talk. "If you're there, it won't turn into a circus."
Horikita stared at me for a moment, like she was trying to read my mind, then snapped her book shut. "Fine. But don't waste my time. And bring Ayanokōji too."
"Wouldn't dream of it," I said, giving a small grin. "Your confidence in me is inspiring. I'll make sure Koji doesn't ditch, either."
* * *
By the time everyone gathered in the classroom, I guess I looked bored enough leaning against the desk at the front. Kushida stood beside me, smiling brightly. I mean, that's just what she does.
"Thank you all for coming!" Kushida said cheerfully. "I know studying isn't always fun, but I really believe we can all help each other."
"And avoid getting kicked out," I added, earning some annoyed groans. What? It was the truth.
Kei slouched in her chair, looking unimpressed. "Wow, so inspiring."
"I try," I said dryly. I mean, I didn't care if they thought I was a motivational speaker or not.
Sudou folded his arms and glared at the worksheet in front of him. "This is stupid. Who even needs this stuff?"
"People who want to graduate," Horikita said sharply, not bothering to glance his way.
Kei leaned back, her phone half-hidden under the desk. "Do we really have to do this now?"
I shrugged. "Unless you've got a better idea that won't get us expelled." I mean, if she had a magical solution, I'd be all ears.
Kushida clapped her hands lightly. "Come on, everyone. Let's just try our best, okay?"
"Easy for you to say," Sudou grumbled. "You probably know all this already."
"Then use that to your advantage," Horikita snapped. "Stop whining and start working."
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. I guess we were in for a rough time. Watching this group try to learn something felt…well, let's just say it was going to be interesting.
"This," I muttered with a smirk, "is going to be fun."